Whenever I'm taking a much-needed respite in the wide open landscape of Lianyungang, I can peek a single Chinese person or in some cases a pair of Chinese persons walking backwards. I thought it peculiar at first, no question. Then I thought that maybe I could relate this odd sight to some extreme weather conditions. Say for example if the wind was blowing up a heavy gale and one wanted to shield their facial orifices from the onslaught of air. But there seems to be no excuse for walking backwards on a perfectly nice, calm and sunny day. I've been told that the Chinese believe the backward walking is good for health. Hm.
I went for a run the other night at the university's track. It was late, maybe around 10:30 or so. I expected to see a few couples sitting on the soccer field in tender moonlit embraces, but I was not prepared for the mob of people that I came across. Did I mention that this was a Friday night? Well, it most certainly was past 10 pm on a Friday (I had my own reasons for engaging in rigorous cardio at this hour) and I think I nearly stumbled over half the student body on the track and adjoining playground. I thought to myself: this is what college would be like if teetotalism was more popular than the current exploits that are in vogue on western campuses. And of course, many of the people on the track got a glimpse of my face, flush from the effort of running, as I lapped them. These were the people walking around the track in reverse. Perhaps they thought I was some kind of monster apparition of the night.
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